For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
– 1 Corinthians 1:25 –
In the Beginning
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized May 19, 1947 in the small summer home of Mr. and Mrs. Al Nicols. Rev. T.A. Patterson organized the church with eleven members: Mr. and Mrs. Roy Ransom, Mr. and Mrs. Al Nicols, Mr. and Mrs. John Collins, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Brown, Mr. & Mrs. James Dothard and Matilda Conrad. This small group of people purchased an acre of land on Baseline Avenue and the ground breaking ceremony was held just a few years after the church was formed! The membership increased and the property was paid for.
Once the church was built, membership continued to increase and an adjoining acre of land was purchased. A parsonage was built on the property. Over the years various improvements were made to the property. Eventually the parsonage became the home of Bethel’s Community Outreach program. Through this program the church conducted feeding ministries, clothing banks, youth assistance programs for college-prep., and a host of community-building events.
Under the leadership of Rev. Morris Buchannan, Bethel became ‘the place’ to come when there were social ills plaguing the Fontana community. When politicians or community leaders needed to address issues affecting the African American community in Fontana, Bethel was the place to work it out.
The Way We Were
The Rebuilding Begins
In 2007 the City of Fontana began a street-widening project which required that the old church and parsonage be demolished. After a long legal battle the City agreed to pay Bethel $1.2 Million dollars as settlement for the taking, and the church and parsonage were torn down. Under the leadership of Rev. John Cager the congregation began renting space at First United Methodist Church of Fontana. Shortly after being displaced, and under the leadership of Pastor John Cager, the members of Bethel demonstrated amazing resilience and continued growth. Efforts were undertaken to build the new sanctuary. Regrettably the efforts were not successful. After two years of trying to rebuild without success, the membership became discouraged. During that time, the recession hit, delivering another blow to this strong congregation. The possibilities started to seem limited.
In November of 2009 Bethel received a new Pastor, Rev. Francine A. Brookins, Esq. A new building team was engaged and in February 2011 the City of Fontana approved and issued all necessary building, grading and other permits required for the church to begin the building process; and Bethel was able to ‘move into the newly erected sanctuary on Christmas’ 2011! We obtained our permanent Certificate of Occupancy on February 4, 2012. Bethel has survived difficult times. It has withstood seemingly insurmountable challenges; and it is stronger from the struggle.
Rebuilding - The Beginning
Rebuilding - Almost There
Rebuilding - The End
Today at Beth-El
Now that we are back in our own building, at our old location, we are poised for exponential growth and you are a part of making us who God is creating us to be! As you can imagine, building the Lord’s house is a costly endeavor. We know that people are losing their jobs, and homes, and health care, and sanity, during these difficult times. For that reason we are determined to make Bethel debt-free that valuable resources can be reinvested into Kingdom building! Help us create a place where our desperate needs can be met with a Savior! Our primary fundraising goal is mortgage liquidation. There are three powerful ways you can help us pay off our mortgage:
1. Make a tax-deductible donation payable to Bethel AME Church, P.O. Box 2236, Fontana, CA 92334; 2. Purchase a donor brick to memorialize your donation to Bethel in the Rena Williams Memorial Plaza. Go to the Rena B. Williams Memorial Plaza page and submit your By A Brick order via PayPal or credit card if you do not have a Paypal account.
Today At Beth-El
